New Blow Struck at Jewish Doctors, Dentists by Nazi Decree on Sick Funds

A far-reaching order was issued this afternoon by Franz Seldte, Minister of Labor in the Nazi government, prohibiting Jewish doctors and dentists in cities which have a population of more than one hundred thousand from continuing to accept patients from the sick fund lists. This spells expulsion even for the war veterans, who up to now have been legally exempted from expulsion. In Germany, where the sick benefit funds are supported and organized by the government removal from the sick fund lists mean that the Jewish doctors will lose important parts of their practice.

The removal of the Jewish doctors and dentists has crippled the sick funds and vitally affected medical help all over Germany. The sick funds have been affected to the point where patients absolutely refuse to be treated by the inexperienced doctors who have replaced the Jews who formerly held the posts.

As a result, another order has been issued, which abolishes altogether the dental clinics attached to the Berlin sick funds. A number of individual trade unions, such as the bakers and the barbers unions, have announced the abolition of their dental clinics, apparently because they were unable to find experienced non-Jewish dentists.

From now on, the members of the sick funds will be permitted to consult private dentists and the sick funds will pay the fees. However, if the patient consults a Jewish doctor the fees will be paid only in cases where the Jewish doctors are war veterans and others who are exempt from the Aryan clauses.